Roper’s Garden: a Meeting of Form, Function and Art

Image: Historic England

Originally Sir Thomas More’s orchard in the early 16thC, this is a modern urban space built in the aftermath of WW2. The buildings on the site were destroyed in 1941 and it remained essentially derelict until the 1960s. Peter Shepheard developed a sensitive and understated design utilising the basements of the destroyed buildings to provide a sheltered and sunken garden. There are distinctive Shepheard elements such as path and kerb details often found in his other designs; a strong geometry of spatial form, and restrained planting of a knowledgeable plantsman. His love of nature, particularly birds, is seen in the bird boxes around the walls.  Seating, shelter and ease of access are key functional elements. Shepheard uses All Saints Church as a focal point outside of the site, while centre-stage is The Awakening by Gilbert Ledward. An unfinished sculpture by Jacob Epstein lies hidden, awaiting to be discovered by visitors.

Ed Bennis was Head of the School of Landscape at Manchester Metropolitan University and Head of the Centre for Landscape Research. He has been a landscape consultant to English Heritage and regional governments, and has held numerous positions on regional and national bodies including Green Flag Judge, CABE/Civic Trust, chairman and trustee of Cheshire Gardens Trust. He has been a visiting professor in Haifa, Beijing and Guangzhou, and University of Novi Sad, Serbia.